346 LELIA, 



Within their Atrium, graced with victory's crown, 

 And where their hundred sires looked proudly down, 

 Amidst the menial train the servile crowd 

 That bent the knee, and low in reverence bow'd, 

 The fairest of Rome's virgin daughters stand, 45 



Twin stars of beauty, even in beauty's land ; 

 They wait to greet their father from the field, 

 Where Roman courage taught its foes to yield. 

 Noble in rank, and high in warlike fame, 



The daughters gloried in their father's name. 50 



He comes with helmet doff'd, and hasty feet, 

 The filial kiss the warm embrace to meet : 

 Brave as the bravest, kindest of the kind, 

 And in the foremost fight, ne'er left behind, 



Flavius had still proud manhood's better part, 55 



Domestic love a father's doating heart. 



Oft were the maidens kiss'd, oft view'd with pride, 

 And then with anxious haste were drawn aside, 

 Where freed from friends, and from the pomp of state, 

 His dangers and his cares he may relate. 60 



Well might proud Flavius view with fondest pride 

 The two fair children seated at his side. 

 No brighter gems did Roman beauty grace, 

 (The form of Venus join'd to Dian's face.) 



A thousand loves sit playing in their eyes, 65 



And there Dan Cupid in sweet fastness lies. 



With heads bent low, they hear the warrior's tale, 

 And tears and smiles alternately prevail : 

 He tells of hard-fought fields, where sword and fire 

 A savage lesson taught barbarian ire ; "70 



Where Roman eagles flew, though drench'd in blood, 

 Whilst undismayed the Roman phalanx stood ; 

 Of perils dared, without one thought of fear, 

 Of glory gain'd, the soldier's heart to cheer. 



And then he tells of acts of mercy done, 75 



The slaughter stayed when victory was won ; 

 The captive's tear the captive's prayer for grace, 

 When war puts on the charms of pity's face ; 

 He tells of other climes of glorious lands, 



Of sun-lit seas of soft and verdant strands, 80 



Of unknown forms of unknown fruits and flowers, 

 Of unknown gods, with all their varied powers. 

 And then, that he has brought a captive fair, 

 To be their slave, their gentle yoke to bear, 



One that he saved when all her kindred died, 85 



Because great Caesar's name they had denied ; 

 A horde of Christians dwelling in their caves, 

 The scum of earth, unfit to be their slaves. 

 But this one girl was famed for healing art, 



Could ward disease, and act Machaon's part ; 90 



Her he had rescued from the avenging sword, 

 To tend their health, to watch at bed and board. 

 Her they must take, yet treat her as became 

 Daughters of Rome, and heirs of his proud name. 



His tale was told ; they breathed the Roman prayer, 95 



And thank'd Olympian Jove for all his care. 



